Don't let allergies get out of hand during pregnancy.

20% of pregnant women suffer from allergies. In some cases, women may experience more severe allergy symptoms during pregnancy. This may be due to hormonal changes. Interestingly, some women's allergies remain or even disappear during pregnancy.

Depending on the cause of the allergy, avoiding allergens is even more important during pregnancy as it is the safest option. If you have pollen allergy symptoms in the fall or spring, always close the windows of your home and car to block the pollen. If dust mites are causing your allergies, using dust mite covers on your mattress and pillows and removing carpets from your bedroom can help. For pregnant women with pet allergies, allergy symptoms improve when pets are removed from the home, or at least from the bedroom.

The most common question that pregnant women with allergies ask is, "Are medications safe to use during pregnancy?" Treatment should begin with saline nasal sprays and moisturizers to relieve nasal symptoms. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says it's best to avoid medications whenever possible. Consult your allergist during pregnancy before stopping any medications you are currently taking and before starting any medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications. There are medications that your healthcare provider can prescribe and they are generally considered safe. Most safety data have been collected for first-generation oral antihistamines. This medicine does not pose a risk to the fetus during pregnancy. Examples of first-generation antihistamines include brompheniramine (Dimetap), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). It is important to note that these first-generation antihistamines can have side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth.

Other medications that appear to be safe during pregnancy but have less scientific data than first-generation antihistamines include second-generation oral antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and the intranasal corticosteroid fluticasone (Flonase). And mometasone. (Asmenax). The advantage of second-generation oral antihistamines is that they do not have the same side effects as the first-generation.

Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) should be avoided in early pregnancy. Some studies suggest that these drugs may slightly increase the risk of birth defects of the abdominal wall. Unless you have high blood pressure, this treatment is generally safe for the rest of your pregnancy.

You may also consider allergy immunotherapy shots, eye drops, or desensitizing medications during pregnancy. In general, immunotherapy for allergies should not be started during pregnancy. For most women, it is safe to continue treatment if you started it before you became pregnant. Each person is different, so you should discuss with your allergist whether continuing is right for you and whether you need to adjust your allergy immunotherapy schedule.

For some women, "allergies" appear for the first time during pregnancy, but more often they develop a condition called "pregnancy rhinitis". This condition is not a true allergy like hay fever, but it is thought to be. Because of hormonal changes. This can cause severe nasal congestion, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. This can cause discomfort, especially when lying down. Unfortunately, conventional allergy medications considered safe during pregnancy generally do not improve nasal congestion. Some women find it helpful to use a humidifier and/or saline nasal spray. Using over-the-counter nasal strips is safe and helps keep your nasal passages open.

The good news is that rhinitis during pregnancy goes away within a few weeks after the baby is born, but unfortunately, it usually comes back with each pregnancy. As you can see, nose problems can affect pregnancy. It is important to work with your doctor and allergist to ensure effective and safe care for you and your unborn baby.